Is it safe for Kylie Jenner to be using a waist trainer so soon after giving birth?

    Maggie Parker

    When it comes to getting her postpartum waist back into shape, Kylie Jenner isn’t wasting any time.

    The new mom shared a mirror selfie on Instagram yesterday in which she’s wearing a postpartum waist trainer. “[M]y girl @premadonna87 hooked me up with the @waistgangsociety snap back package,” she captioned the image before labeling it an #ad. “[W]aistgang has the BEST quality snap back products…Use code (Kylie) for an exclusive discount & I can keep up with your progress ‼️ #waistgangsociety #waistgang #fitness #whatwaist #whatsawaist.com,” she continued.

    This posts comes just six weeks after she gave birth to baby girl Stormi. And while we’re not sure waist trainers are particularly safe ever, it seems like post-pregnancy might not be the best time to wear one. We understand the desire to lose the baby weight and get the body back to its pre-baby state, but is the rush worth the risk?


     

    “I have concerns with postpartum women using a waist trainer during the first six weeks of this physically transitional time,” Dr. Sherry A. Ross, OB/GYN, women’s health expert and author of she-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “Waist trainers are more of a modern-day corset with the ability to potentially cause more harm than good with their over the top type of compression.”

    However, Dr. Ross isn’t totally against the idea of wearing a waist trainer — as long as the person’s doctor gives the OK. “The waist trainer can be used safely if it’s not tied too tightly or worn for extended periods of time,” she says. “When the waist trainer is tied up too tightly it could cause rib fractures, limit your mobility, affect your breathing capacity, restrict your abdominal muscles and affect your posture.  If you are working out with your waist trainer it could limit your ability to strengthen your core muscles.”

    Believe it or not, there are benefits to using a waist trainer after giving birth. “If you had a vaginal or cesarean section delivery, the waist trainer can give you additional support and comfort, and a thinner appearance,” Dr. Ross says.

    However, it’s still not her recommendation. “I prefer women who just gave birth to wear belly wraps and leave the waist trainers for six months after having a baby,” she says. “Belly wraps play a more supportive role for floppy and redundant skin and a shrinking uterus without creating an over the top type of compression.”

    Belly wraps are a much less intense and constrictive version of the Kardashian-approved waist trainer. “If you had a vaginal delivery, a belly wrap can give you additional support and comfort. After a cesarean section belly wraps can support the uterus and belly, taking pressure off the abdominal incision,” Dr. Ross says. But they still aren’t 100 percent safe. “I would be careful not making them too tight since this can cause pain and discomfort, and it might affect the healing of the incision.” Dr. Ross recommends belly wraps from brands like Chongerfei, Olikeme, and Belly Bandit, which she says “all offer safe postpartum support.”

    Kylie was quick to show off her post baby body. Earlier this month, Kylie took to Snapchat and Instagram stories to show off her slim figure and unchanged curves. Of course, she was criticized, but according to women’s health expert Dr. Jennifer Wider, her quick recovery isn’t abnormal. “In the case of Kylie Jenner, she is 20 years old; it is her first pregnancy, and she was in excellent physical shape before and during her pregnancy. Also, unlike the average American woman, she probably has a team of experts helping her: nutritionists, chefs, workout trainers. This can speed the recovery process along as well.”

    The bottom line is new and healing moms need to “breath comfortably and not feel restricted in your movements when wearing a belly wrap or waist trainer.” And while Kylie’s latest pic might make you want to order that waist trainer, it’s better to touch base with your doctor before you make the purchase.

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